The Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy (TFLA), the City of Tallahassee’s summer youth employment program, is coming back for its third year. TFLA connects local youth, ages 15-20, with area businesses for an educational, fun-filled, summer job opportunity.

“For the third year in a row, TFLA will provide young people in this community with new skills and experiences to assist them in their future academic and professional endeavors,” Mayor Andrew Gillum said. “We are calling on our employers to hire a participant and help expose them to their own potential as they become the future leaders of our community.”

With more than 200 student applications anticipated this year, there are many opportunities for local businesses to participate. By taking part in the TFLA employment program, businesses can help young people grow in the areas of leadership, professionalism and financial literacy. If you manage a business that would like to host a TFLA participant, please fill out a business application on Talgov.com.

“Being an employer partner is a responsibility to our community," said Bobby Lambert of Salt Water Seafood Company. “It is the responsibility of our business leaders to provide opportunity for the future leaders in this community to learn different trades or options for employment as they age and become available for the work force.”

Once business and participant applications are received, City staff will work to match students to businesses based on the needs of both. Staff will contact businesses in May to coordinate the TFLA placements. Prior to arriving for work, City staff will have trained all TFLA participants and performed the necessary background checks.

The TFLA program will run from June 19 to July 28. If you or someone you know may be interested in the TFLA program, please visit Talgov.com to fill out a participant application. The last day to register is April 7.

Last year, more than 150 young people and 50 businesses participated in the TFLA program. Those youth participants were placed in a variety of jobs spread throughout the City organization and local businesses, earning minimum wage. For many it was their first job, and they gained skills in customer service, business etiquette and teamwork.

For more information about the Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy, which began as an initiative out of the Mayor’s Office, please visit Talgov.com or call the City of Tallahassee’s Human Resources and Workforce Development department at 891-8214.